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Pre-WW2 Military and Naval Aviation Please use this forum to discuss Military and Naval Aviation before the Second World War. |
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#1
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Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)
Hello,
Currently on ebay a photograph of Albatros D.III (Oef) of Friedrich Navratil at: https://www.ebay.de/itm/C48-Flik-3J-...oAAOSwclFeTpP1 but which of the several aircraft flown by him? 253.06, 253.116 a.n.other? Regards, Clint |
#2
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Re: Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)
Clint
This is not a photo of Navratil. It has been misidentified so many times it has become close to Gospel! The photo is of Albatros (Oeffag) D.III 253.116 after its pilot Adolf Blaha had flown it to Switzerland. Photo date is 22 Nov 1918 (Peter Schiemer statement, but I actually think the date is 22 Oct, see below). Both Blaha and the aircraft had a very strange story. On 22 Oct 1918 Blaha took off from his airfield to avoid this aircraft to be destroyed by Italian bombing. By mistake he landed in Switzerland and both he and the aircraft was interned. On 28 Oct 1918 the state of Czeckoslovakia was proclaimed and by international law the Swiss had to release Blaha. It was also realised they could no longer keep his aircraft, which by then was now Czeck property. It seems Blaha left for Prague sometime after the photo was taken, but returned in March 1919 to collect the aircraft again. However when he returned home he experienced both snow and fog and promptly crashed his aircraft when trying to land and wrecked it! All this is verified from Czeckoslovakian sources Cheers Stig |
#3
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Re: Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)
Hello Stig,
Thanks for the response. Interesting biographical information.Totally accept your information on the pilot. However, a question. Given a number of other aircraft with very simialar personal markings, did the aircraft at sometime belong to Navratil before being flown to Switzerland by Blaha? Regards, Clint |
#4
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Re: Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)
Indeed he did Clint
I just checked what Peter Schiemer wrote in his Albatros book which differs a bit datewise from the Czeck information. According to Schiemer (his list is not 100% understandable by me mind you) the aircraft was delivered in Sep 1918 and assigned to Navratil Flik 3/J; 21 Nov 1918 Blaha used it to desert from Innsbruck to Schlieren, Switzerland; aircraft interned, 29 Oct 1919 aircraft collected by Blaha for the Czeck Government and on its transfer flight crashed at Prague-Kbely With regard to aircraft 253.06 it was delivered in July 1918 to 11 Armee and assigned to Flik 3/J and was Navratil's aircraft until he crashed with it on 21 Oct 1918. No further records so probably never repaired. Cheers Stig |
#5
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Re: Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)
Hello,
On 13.04.20 on ebay the following photos of Albatros D.III (Oef) can be seen: Albatros D.III (Oef) 53.21 https://www.ebay.de/itm/M51-Oeffag-5...oAAOSwhzZelH~Y Albatros D.III (Oef) 53.30 https://www.ebay.de/itm/M52-Albatros...IAAOSw8NNelIBK Albatros D.III (Oef) 153.109 Waffenversuchsflik https://www.ebay.de/itm/M53-Albatros...sAAOSwA9xelID5 Regards, Clint |
#6
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Re: Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)
Hello,
Currently on ebay there is a shot of Albatros D.III (Oef) 53.33 at: https://www.ebay.de/itm/OX7315-DOPPE...QAAOSw58ZeyBa- Regards, Clint |
#7
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Re: Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)
A well known photo (which you most likely know)
Having said that, this time it is shown on e-bay in excellent quality contrary to many other books and articles. It is a photo that really captures what aviation in a single-seater is all about, especially in the early days. In spite of having the photo many times over, I downloaded it again due to its quality! 53.33 had a sad ending, being shot down 29 Nov 1917 when flown by Rittmeister Nikolaus von Hideghéty (Flik 24) on an escort mission for Brandenburg C.I 29.01. He remains missing ever since. Capt William Barker is possibly the "culprit" since he claimed an Albatros over South Tirol that day. Some dispute this and state Barker had a fight with Jasta 1 instead. B Rgds Stig |
#8
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Re: Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)
Hi Stig,
Yes I had seen previous examples of this shot. Do any of the ones you've seen narrow it down to a specific unit. As I'm sure you're aware there are three contenders. Any thoughts? Regards, Clint |
#9
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Re: Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)
Well Clint
Not sure what you mean with three alternatives, since I believe it served with Flik 24 all its life. It was delivered in (or at least about) June 1917 and beside a very short spell with Flik 48 (July-August) it was back again with Flik 24 late August 1917. Seems to me like it was on loan to Flik 48 and not really a true transfer as such. None of the photos I could locate give any date and being over the southern Alpes I don't even want to make a guess which month we are talking about... Cheers Stig |
#10
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Re: Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)
Hello Stig,
Based on my excel document and I'd need to check the sources again, I also have 53.33 serving with Alarmbereitschaft Pergine and Flik 48/D. Regards, Clint |
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